The Hanoi meetings ended early when the two sides could not come to an agreement regarding the removal of nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula. The MSM was quick to jump on this as a failure for PDJT. However, failure is not the word I would use.
There is every sign that this is just a stage in getting the North Koreans to understand that they must give up the strategy of confrontation and isolation. Instead, they need to open up to the outside world and to the possibilities that market economies can generate.
Clearly much progress has been made as a result of the two meetings. The possibility of war has been reduced. In 2016 North Korea crowed that the Obama administration’s “strategic patience” policy had allowed it to get armed with nuclear weapons. At the time Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s main newspaper, said North Korea needed to develop nuclear weapons to protect itself from Washington’s “hostile policy” toward Pyongyang.
When North Korea held its fifth nuclear test on Sept. 9, 2016, the Obama administration responded with the following statement:
“To be clear, the United States does not, and never will, accept North Korea as a nuclear state,” “… Today’s nuclear test, a flagrant violation of multiple U.N. Security Council Resolutions, makes clear North Korea’s disregard for international norms and standards for behavior and demonstrates it has no interest in being a responsible member of the international community.”
Clearly the possibility of war was rising. Former CIA Director John Brennan denies it. However, those who would like to believe that the Obama administration did not look at the possibility of a pre-emptive strike against North Korea have their heads in the sand. This ignores various actions by the Obama administration over the previous seven years.
The destruction of Libya as a viable country jumps to the forefront. The mess in Syria is also laid directly at the feet of the Obama administration. The incursion of ISIS into eastern Iraq also qualifies. There are numerous other examples where President Obama started wars.
North Korean saber rattling was prominent during the latter stages of Obama’s presidency and the early stages of PDJT’s. Underground nuclear tests and ballistic missile tests occurred with regularity. Now they have stopped their nuclear testing. They have stopped their ballistic missile testing.
It’s quite evident that Kim very much wants economic development and he wants sanctions to be lifted. Chairman Kim would like to move his country into being an equal partner in the world community. Of course, this needs to happen without him losing his seat of power or his support among the power structure in North Korea (and China). This means convincing his power structure that they can be a viable country without nukes. China’s Xi could help with this. It remains to be seen which side he will take.
The rhetoric is entirely different now than it was two years ago. In what was perhaps an historic moment PDJT and Chairman Kim took questions from Western reporters. This is the transparency that PDJT is famous for but which we hear little about from the MSM. It is certainly a far cry from the lack of transparency that characterized the Obama administration.
The following exchange is instructive.
President Trump was asked if there would be a political statement to end the war. PDJT sidestepped the question by saying, “No matter what happens we’ll ultimately have a deal that’s really good for Chairman Kim and his country and for us. That’s where it’s all leading. It doesn’t mean we’re doing it in one day, in one meeting. I really believe, with this great leadership North Korea, I really believe it’s going to be very successful.”
When Chairman Kim was asked if a US liaison office in Pyongyang was possible, a North Korean aide tried to cut off the question but POTUS Trump interjected: “That’s actually an interesting question. I would like to actually hear that answer. “
Chairman Kim replied: “That is something that is welcomeable.”
PDJT said the idea was a “great thing.”
While no concrete deal was hammered out here, it clearly appears that things are moving slowly in the right direction. It’s leaning toward increasing chances for peace and prosperity between America and a long-time foe. It also appears that PDJT has made it clear, without causing Chairman Kim to lose face, that there are places the US will not go in these negotiations. Trump was not ready to drop the sanctions against North Korea without an ironclad, verifiable denuclearization program firmly in place. But, unlike Obama, he did not loudly proclaim some red line that could not be crossed without repercussions.
When Kim was asked about the prospects for success in the negotiations, he said
“It’s too early to tell. I won’t prejudge. From what I feel right now, I do have a feeling that good results will come.”
So did the talks “collapse” as the MSM claims. That seems unlikely. Both leaders were cordial and warm toward each other. It just appears that more work must be done.
This appears to be the first time a North Korean leader has ever faced a press conference with Western reporters asking questions. That in itself is a significant factor in moving North Korea toward becoming a normal country.
Another interesting aspect of this meeting was its location. I am sure that PDJT felt that this was an ideal location to once again point out the possibilities to Chairman Kim. Vietnam is a communist country that is enjoying unprecedented economic growth. The Vietnamese people are a lot happier than the North Koreans. Kim planned to stay two extra days in Hanoi following the summit. If he does, Kim should hear from his peers in Vietnam about the many benefits of opening their country to the West. It cannot be lost on Chairman Kim that the same thing could happen in North Korea. I truly believe he wants to be seen as a great leader who helped his country make giant strides forward.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
Matthew 5:9 (Sermon on the Mount)